Vibratory finishing machine with screening and loading mechanism

ABSTRACT

A vibratory finishing machine with a screening and loading mechanism which includes a vibratory screen assembly. The screen assembly is movable between a screening position and a tub loading position. A movable hopper dolly is selectively positioned beneath the screen and when so positioned is movable with the assembly from the screening position to the loading position where the contents of a dolly pan are discharged into the finishing machine. A linkage system connects the carriage and an upstanding frame of the finishing machine and is uniquely constructed so that when the carriage is raised the dolly pan is maintained in a substantially horizontal attitude until it has been elevated to the vicinity of the loading position whereupon the hopper dolly is tipped to discharge its contents into the finishing machine.

United States atent Rampe et al.

1 VlBRATORY FINISHING MACHINE WITH SCREENING AND LOADING MECHANISM [75]Inventors: John F. Rampe; William E. Ward,

both of Cleveland, Ohio [73] Assignee: Rampe Research, Cleveland, Ohio[22] Filed: Apr. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 132,321

[52] U.S. Cl. 51/163 [51] int. Cl B24b 31/06 [58] Field of Search5l/l63, 164

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,470,340 5/1949 Cook 51/164X 2,359,322 10/1944 Lupo 51/164 2,116,160 5/1938 Rosenberger 51/163 UX3,191,348 6/1965 Rampe 51/163 Primary ExaminerHarold D. WhiteheadAttorney, Agent, or FirmWatts, Hoffman, Fisher &

l-leinke Co.

1 Apr. 2, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A vibratory finishing machine with ascreening and loading mechanism which includes a vibratory screenassembly. The screen assembly is movable between a screening positionand a tub loading position. A movable hopper dolly is selectivelypositioned beneath the screen and when so positioned is movable with theassembly from the screening position to the loading position where thecontents of a dolly pan are discharged into the finishing machine.

A linkage system connects the carriage and an upstanding frame of thefinishing machine and is uniquely constructed so that when the carriageis raised the dolly pan is maintained in a substantially horizontalattitude until it has been elevated to the vicinity of the loadingposition whereupon the hopper dolly is tipped to discharge its contentsinto the finishing machine.

65 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEBAPR 21914 3.800.478

SHEET 1 UF 3 t Ii) g "E- 8 INVENTOR.

JOHN F. RAMPE BY WILLIAM WARD ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAPR 2:914 BQBUOA78 sum 20F 3 VENTOR. JO F. M PE WI AM WARD ATTORNEYSv PAIENTEDAPR 2:9143;80n.478

SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR. JOHN F. RAMPE WILLIAM WARD ATTORNEYS VIBRATORYFINISHING MACHINE WITH SCREENING AND LOADING MECHANISM CROSS-REFERENCETO RELATED PATENT Vibratory Finishing Machine, U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,869issued June 17, 1969 to John F. Rampe.

7 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates generally to abrasive finishing machines and morespecifically to a vibratory finishing machine equipped with a mechanismfor handling the supply and removal of abrasive media for finishingoperations.

2. Prior Art Known vibratory finishing machines are adapted to smoothand finish the surfaces of a variety of materials by such operations asdeburring, burnishing, descaling, and cleaning. Typically such machinesvary in capacity from 1 cubic foot to 30 cubic feet and even larger. Therequired cycle time for such finishing operations varies generallydepending upon the size of the material, the accessibility of thematerial to be removed, the type of vibratory action applied, and thetype of abrasive media used.

During operation of a finishing machine, workpieces to be finished and aselected abrasive media are brought to the finishing machine and loadedinto an open top tub of the machine. After a finishing operation hasbeen completed, the finished workpieces and media are discharged fromthe tub. In the past they have been transported to a separating stationwhere the media and workpieces are segregated.

These loading and unloading operations have involved one or more timeconsuming manual steps. Where it is desirable to perform the finishingoperation with a series of different abrasive media, the unloading,separating, changing, and reloading of media with prior techniques isquite time consuming and costly, especially since one or more steps areperformed by hand.

The usual ratio of media to workpieces by volume is three parts media toone part workpieces. A 30 foot capacity machine willtherefore ordinarilyemploy over 20 cubic feet of abrasive media when operating at fullcapacity. Accordingly, it is apparent that, especially because of themanual labor involved, the loading and unloading of abrasive media posesa significant material handling problem. 7

Various proposals have been made to provide vibratory screeningapparatus adapted to segregate finished workpieces from abrasive media.While such proposed screening apparatus may provide for the separationof parts and media, they do not ordinarily otherwise assist in theunloading of media from, transporting media to and from, and loadingmedia into a finishing machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION height sufficient to permit a movable hopperdolly to be positioned beneath it and low enough for the contents of aworkpiece finishing tub of the machine to be discharged directly ontoit.

Another feature of the present invention is that the screen carriage ismovable between a screening and a tub loading position. In the screeningposition, the screen bed is disposed adjacent the discharge end of thefinishing machine tub with the hopper positioned therebeneath. In thetub loading position, the screen and the hopper are raised above the tubof the finishing machine and tilted to empty the contents of the hopperinto the tub.

Separation of parts and abrasive media is accomplished by vibrating thescreen whereby the abrasive media passes through the screen and into thehopper while the finished workpieces pass across top of screen. Thehopper dolly with abrasive media in it may then be wheeled away andstored without removing the media from the hopper. Alternately, thehopper remains in the screen carriage and the contents are reloaded intothe tub for another workpiece finishing cycle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the movablehopper is of novel configuration. The hopper is provided with afunnel-shaped end portion closed by a pivotally mounted door whichserves to retain-abrasive media within the hopper until the hopper ismoved to the loading position. In the loading position, the hopper dooropens and the funnel-shaped end portion directs the-abrasive media intothe finishing machine tub.

Flange .tracks along the sides of the hopper dolly overlap hoppersupport elements on the carriage so that as the carriage is elevated thehopper is elevated with it.

A- novel linkage system provides a further feature of the invention. Thelinkage has two pairs of non-parallel linkage arms provided forsupporting the movable carriage from an upstanding frame. The linkagesystem defines a particularly advantageous path of movement for thecarriage relative to the frame between the screening and loadingpositions. When the carriage is raised from the screening position, thecarriage is slightly tilted to facilitate retention of the movablehopper in the carriage. The carriage then is elevated as the hopper ismaintained in a substantially horizontal but slightly tilted attitude.As the carriage approaches the loading position, the linkage arms aresubstantially vertically disposed, during which movement the hopper isrelatively abruptly tilted to discharge its contents into the tub of thefinishing machine.

With one method of operation, the loading of a charge of abrasive mediainto the finishing machine is accomplished by wheeling a hopper dollycontaining the media into position beneath the screen such that thehopper dolly is engaged by the carriage. The carriage is then raised todischarge the contents of the v hopper into the tub of the finishingmachine. The tub of the finishing machine is then vibrated with theabrasive media and workpieces in it to finish the workpieces.

- After the finishing operation is completed, the mixture of abrasivemedia and finished workpieces is discharged onto the vibrating screen tosegregate the workpieces from the abrasive media. The abrasive mediapasses through the screen and into the movable hopper dolly.

The hopper dolly containing the abrasive media is then either wheeledaway to store or dispose of the abrasive media, or raised to the loadingposition to reload the media into the tub.

In order to change abrasive media in the machine, the contents of themachine are unloaded onto the screen and separated by vibratoryscreening action. The finished workpieces are removed from the screenand the hopper dolly of used abrasive media is then replaced with ahopper dolly of other abrasive media. The carriage is then raised todischarge the other media into the finishing machine.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention toprovide a vibratory finishing machine having an improved apparatus forthe handling of abrasive media.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of afinishing machine including the screening-loading mechanism of thepresent invention, the carriage of the screening-loading mechanism beingshown by solid lines in the screening position and in phantom in theloading position;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the screening-loading mechanism shown in thescreening position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic motion diagram illustrating the movement of thecarriage between the screening and loading positions;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the hopper dolly which may be removablyreceived by the carriage;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the hopper dolly of FIG. 4 withportions thereof broken away to illustrate detail; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the hopper dollyillustrating the operation of the dis charge door of the hopper dolly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a vibratoryfinishing machine is shown generally at 10. The finishing machine 10includes an upstanding base support structure 11. A receptacle or tub 12is movably supported above the base 11. A vibratory drive, indicatedgenerally by the numeral 13, is connected to the tub 12 for cyclicallyvibrating the tub at rates of from approximately 900 to 1,800 cycles perminute. A vibratory finishing machine of this type is described andclaimed in detail in the referenced Rampe patent.

In operation, workpieces such as castings, which are to be deburred,burnished, descaled or cleaned are deposited in open top tub 12 with asupply of suitable abrasive media. The tub is then vibrated to performthe required finishing operation. When the finishing operation iscompleted, the finished workpieces and the viewed in FIG. 1. Thescreening-loading apparatus 20 includes a rigid upstanding frameindicated generally by the numeral 21. The screening-loading apparatus20 also includes a carriage 22. The carriage 22 is movable between ascreening position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 and a loading positionin phantom in FIG. 1.

A vibratory screen mechanism 23 is supported by the carriage 22. Amovable hopper dolly 24 is removably received by the carriage 22 beneaththe screen mechanism 23. As will be explained in greater detail, themixture of abrasive media and finished workpieces discharged from thefinishing machine 10 through the door 14 are separated by the screenmechanism 23. The abrasive media passes through the screen and dropsinto the hopper dolly 24 while the larger workpieces do not.

After the finished materials pass over the screen, the carriage may thenbe moved from the screening position to the loading position to emptythe abrasive media from the hopper 24 back into the open tub 12. If, inthe alternative, it is desirable to change the abrasive media being usedin the finishing machine 10, the hopper 24 may be wheeled away and serveas a storage bin for the abrasive media, and a second hopper dolly maybe wheeled into position carrying the desired abrasive media. With thesecond hopper dolly in position in the carriage 22, the carriage maythen be moved to the loading position and the abrasive media from thesecond hopper dolly discharged into the tub 12.

The upstanding frame 21 includes a substantially U- shaped structureincluding a pair of spaced side members 31, 32. The side members 31, 32are interconnected by a transversely extending reinforcing member 33.

The carriage 22 includes a pair of spaced side members 41, 42interconnected by a pair of transversely extending, inverted U-shapedmembers 43, 44.

A first pair of linkage arms .51, 52 connect at one end with theupstanding frame 21 through axially aligned pivotal connections 53, 54.The opposite ends of the linkage arms 51, 52 connect to the movablecarriage structure 22 through axially aligned pivotal connections 55,56. A second pair of linkage arms 57, 58 connect at one end to theupstanding frame 21 through axially aligned pivotal connections 59, 60,which are below and inwardly of the pivots 53, 54. The opposite ends ofthe linkage arms 57, 58 connect with the movable carriage structure 22through axially aligned pivotal connections 61, 62.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the axes of theframe pivotal connections 53, 54 and 59, 60 are spaced apart by adistance which is less than the spacing between the axes of the carriagepivotal connections 55, 56 and 61, 62. The linkage arms 51, 52 and 57,58 are of substantially identical lengths. Such an arrangement providesa particularly advantageous movement to the carriage 22 as it moves fromthe screening position to the tub loading position.

As is best illustrated in FIG. 3, as the linkage arms 51, 52 and 57, 58are moved from the screening to the tub loading position, they rotateclockwise as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, about their respective pivotalconnections with the upstanding frame 21. The carriage structure 22 istilted slightly toward the upstanding frame and toward the finishingmachine. This tilting action serves to prevent the dislodging of themovable hopper dolly from the carriage structure 22. As the carriagestructure moves upwardly from the screening position and as the linkagearms rotate clockwise through the horizontal position, the carriage andhopper dolly are maintained in a substantially horizontal attitude. Asthe carriage approaches the loading position, the hopper dolly is tiltedrelatively abruptly toward the finishing machine such that the contentsof the hopper are discharged into the tub 12.

A pair of hydraulic cylinders 63, 64 connect at one end with theupstanding frame 21 through axially aligned pivotal connections 65, 66.The opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinders 63, 64 connect with themovable carriage structure 22 through the pivotal connections 61, 62. Intheir retracted position, the cylinders 63, 64 position the carriage inthe screening position. In their extended position, the cylinders 63, 64position the carriage in the tub loading position.

The vibratory screen mechanism 23 includes a suitable air-powdered ormechanical vibrator 70 supported from the carriage structure 22. A pairof vibrator support arms 71, 72 extend upwardly from the carriage sidestructures 41, 42 and mount a transversely extending mounting plate 73.The vibrator 70 is secured to the mounting plate 73. Suitable linkage,not shown, connects the vibrator 70 to a screen 74 which is resilientlysupported from the carriage 22. By this arrangement, the vibrator 70serves to reciprocally vibrate the screen 74. The screen mechanism 23 isadapted to receive screens of a variety of orifice sizes to effectivelysegregate finished materials from abrasive media of various sizes andshapes.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the construction and arrangement of the novelhopper car is shown in greater detail. A centrally disposed, generallyrectangularly shaped pan 80 is is provided. The pan 80 has a pair ofsubstantially vertically disposed side panels 81, 82, a substantiallyvertically disposed end panel 83, and a tapered funnel and guide'portion84. As is best seen in FIG. 5,

the floor of the hopper dolly 24 extends substantially horizontally inthe region 85 adjacent the end portion 83 and slants upwardly in theregion 86 within the vicinity of the funnel and guide portion 84. Theside panels 81, 82 include inwardly inclined portions 87, 88 in theregion of the funnel and guide portion 84.

A door 90 is pivotally mounted on the hopper dolly 24 by means of ahinge structure 91. The door 90 closes the funnel and guide portion 84at times other than when media is being discharged. As is best seen inFIG. 6, the door 90 comprises a heavy metal plate 92 welded to the hingestructure 91. An additional heavy metal plate 93 is welded to the doorplate 92 to provide an ad ditional weight which will assist inmaintaining the door 90 in a closed position. A pair of side flaps, oneof which is shown at 94 are also welded to the plate 90 to provide addedweight to the door and assure its proper closure.

The hopper pan 80 is supported by means of two pairs of rollers 101,102. The rollers 101 are supported by a front pair of mounting brackets103. These brackets 103 are welded to the upstanding end panel 83. Therollers 102 are supported from a rear bracket 104. The rear bracket 104is welded to the underside of the pan floor portion 86. In the preferredembodiment, the rollers 101 comprise swivel casters and the rollers 102comprise casters which have restricted rotation about a common axis.

In order that the hopper dolly 24 may be removably received by thecarriage 22 for movement between the screening and loading positions, apair of outwardly turned flange tracks 111, 1 12 are welded along theexterior surfaces of the side plates 81, 82. A cooperating pair ofinwardly turned flange tracks 113, 114 are provided on the carriagestructure 22, as best seen in FIG. 2. The inwardly turned flange tracks113, 114 are adapted to underly the outwardly turned flange tracks 111,112 to permit the carriage 22 to lift the hopper pan. A pair of stops115, 116 are formed integrally with the flange tracks 111, 112. Acooperating pair of stops one of which is shown at 117 in FIG. 1, areformed on the carriage 22 to position the hopper pan longitudinallywithin the carriage.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in the details of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A finishing machine comprising the combination of:

a. a supporting structure;

b. a receptacle movably carried by said supporting structure and adaptedto receive abrasive media and parts to be finished;

c. drive means interposed between and connected to said supportingstructure and said receptacle to impart a finishing action to the partswithin said receptacle;

d. a carriage movable between a screening position and a loadingposition above the receptacle;

e. a vibratory screener mechanisms carried by said carriage for movementtherewith;

f. a hopper disposed beneath said vibratory screener and operablyconnected to said carriage for movement therewith along a path;

g. said vibratory screener mechanism being operable when in saidscreening position to receive finished parts and abrasive mediadischarged from said receptacle and to segregate the finished parts andthe abrasive media whereby the media passes through said screener andinto said hopper;

h. said hopper being adapted to discharge its contents into saidreceptacle when in said loading position; and,

i. said carriage being operable during movement from said screeningposition to said loading position to move said screener mechanism to aposition permitting movement of the hopper along said path withoutinterference by said screener mechanism to the loading of the contentsof said hopper means into said receptacle.

2. The finishing machine of claim 1 additionally including power drivemeans adapted to move said carriage between said screening and saidloading positions.

3. The finishing machine of claim 2 additionally including an upstandingframe, and linkage means connecting said carriage and said frame anddefining a path of movement for said carriage relative to said frame.

4. The finishing machine of claim 3 wherein said linkage means comprisesfirst and second pairs of rigid linkage arms each connecting at one endwith said upstanding frame and at the other end with said movablecarriage.

5. The finishing machine of claim 4 wherein the respective points ofconnection of each pair of linkage arms with said upstanding frame andsaid movable carriage are substantially axially aligned such that thelinkage arms of each pair move in unison.

6. The finishing machine of claim 5 wherein said link age arms are allof substantially equal length and said points of connection of saidpairs of linkage arms with said carriage are spaced apart a greaterdistance than said points of connection with said upstanding frame,whereby said pairs of linkage arms are disposed in nonparallelrelationship.

7. The finishing machine of claim 6 wherein:

said points of connection with said upstanding frame are spaced abovesaid points of connection with said movable carriage when said movablecarriage is in said screening position; and,

said points of connection with said upstanding frame are spaced belowsaid points of connection with said movable carriage when said movablecarriage is in said loading position.

8. The finishing machine of claim 7 wherein said path of movement fromsaid screening position to said loading position includes anintermediate movement wherein said linkage arms are substantiallyhorizontally disposed during which intermediate movement said carriageis maintained in a substantially horizontal attitude, and a subsequentmovement wherein said linkage arms are substantially vertically disposedduring which subsequent movement said carriage is tilted toward saidreceptacle.

9. The finishing machine of claim 7 wherein said means adapted to movesaid carriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders each connected atone end to said upstanding frame and at the other end to said movablecarriage.

10. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 7' wherein said means tomove said carriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders connecting atone end with said upstanding frame, at axially aligned points spacedbelow said points of connection of said linkage arms with saidupstanding frame, and connecting at the other end with said movablecarriage axially with the points of connection of one of said pairs oflinkage arms.

1 1. The finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said vibratory screenermechanism includes a screen movably mounted on said carriage and avibratory drive means mounted on said carriage and connected to saidscreen to vibrate said screen relative to said carriage.

12. The finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said hopper comprises amovable hopper dolly removably received by said carriage for movementtherewith.

13. The finishing machine of claim 12 wherein said hopper dolly ismounted on rollers and includes a substantially rectangular pan portionhaving a funnel and guide portion communicating therewith.

14. The finishing machine of claim 13 wherein said funnel and guideportion is adapted to direct the contents of said hopper dolly into saidreceptacle when said hopper dolly is moved to said loading position.

15. The finishing machine of claim 14 wherein said funnel and guideportion has a pivotally mounted door mounted thereon to selectivelyclose said funnel and guide portion to retain abrasive media in saidhopper dolly until said hopper dolly is moved to said loading position.

16. A finishing machine comprising the combination a. a movably mountedreceptacle adapted to receive media and parts to be finished;

b. drive means connected to the receptacle for moving the receptacle toimpart a finishing action to parts within the receptacle;

c. an upstanding frame;

d. a movable carriage connected to the frame and adapted to be movedbetween a first position near said receptacle and a second positionabove said receptacle;

e. a hopper connected to the carriage for movement therewith betweensaid first and second positions;

f. linkage means connecting with said carriage and said upstanding frameto define a path of movement for said carriage relative to said frameand for maintaining said carriage in a substantially horizontal attitudeuntil it approaches the vicinity of said second position whereupon thecarriage is tilted toward said receptacle to discharge the contents ofsaid hopper into said receptacle.

17. The finishing machine of claim 16 wherein said linkage meanscomprises first and second pairs of rigid linkage arms each connectingat one end with said upstanding frame and at the other end with saidmovable carriage.

18. The finishing machine of claim 17 wherein said linkage arms are ofsubstantially equal length and connect with said carriage at pointswhich are spaced apart a greater distance than their points ofconnection with said upstanding frame, whereby said pairs of linkagearms are disposed in non-parallel relationship.

19. The finishing machine of claim 18 wherein:

said points of connection with said upstanding frame are spaced abovesaid points of connection with said movable carriage when said movablecarriage is in said first position; and

said points of connection with said upstanding frame are disposed belowsaid points of connection with said movable carriage when said carriageis in said second position.

20. The finishing machine of claim 19 wherein said path of movement fromsaid first position to said second position includes an intermediatemovement wherein said linkage arms are substantially horizontallydisposed during which intermediate movement said carriage is maintainedin a substantially horizontal attitude, and a subsequent movementwherein said linkage arms are substantially vertically disposed duringwhich subsequent movement said carriage is tilted toward saidreceptacle.

21. The finishing machine of claim 20 additionally including a vibratoryscreener mechanism mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, saidvibratory screener being operable to segregate finished parts andabrasive media when in said first position.

22. The finishing machine of claim 21 wherein said hopper comprises amovable hopper dolly removably received by said carriage beneath saidscreener mechanism for movement with said carriage, said movable hopperdolly being adapted to receive abrasive media passed through saidscreener mechanism when in said first position and being adapted todischarge the conb. drive means connected to the receptacle for mov- Iing the receptacle to ifnpart a finishing action to parts within thereceptacle;

c. a movable bopper dolly movable between a receiving positibn and adischarging position;

d. d olly' support means positioned near said receptacle for supportingsaid dolly during movement between said receiving and dischargingpositions;

c. said movable hopper dolly being engaged by and removably receivedwithin said support means when said dolly is in said receiving position;

f. said support means being operable during its initial movement fromsaid receiving position to said loading position to establish aconnection with said dolly to effect movement of said dolly between saidreceiving and loading positions; and,

g. said dolly being adapted to discharge its contents into saidreceptacle when in said discharging position.

25. The finishing machine of claim 24 wherein said receptacle has adischarge means constructed to discharge abrasive media from saidreceptacle into said dolly when said dolly is in said receivingposition.

26. The finishing machine of claim 24 wherein:

a. said dolly includes a plurality of rollers supporting said dolly formovement; and

b. cooperative engagement means are provided on said dolly and saidsupport means to permit said hopper dolly to be removably received bysaid support means for movement therewith.

27. The finishing machine of claim 24 wherein said dolly additionallyincludes:

a. a substantially rectangular pan;

b. a funnel and guide portion communicating with said pan; and

c. a pivotally mounted door closing said funnel and guide portion toretain abrasive media within said pan until said dolly is moved to saiddischarging position whereupon said door opens to discharge the mediainto said receptacle.

28. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 27 wherein saidfunnel-shaped end portion includes a shield overlying at least a portionof said funnel and guide portion to direct the contents of said dollytoward said door when said dolly is moved to said discharging position.

29. In combination, a finishing machine having a movably mountedreceptacle and a drive system for moving the receptacle to impart afinishing action to abrasive media and workpieces positioned within thereceptacle, and screening-loading apparatus for facilitating thecharging of abrasive media into the finishing machine receptacle,comprising:

a. a movable carriage for positioning selectively and one at a time nearthe finishing machine receptacle in a screening position and a loadingposition;

b. a screener mechanism carried by said carriage and movable therewith;and

c. a movable'hopper means removably received by said carriage formovement with said carriage;

d. said hopper means being. positioned beneath said 'J'sCreenermechanism when in said screening position;

e. said hopper means being tilted toward said receptacle when in saidloading position;

f. whereby abrasive media may be passed through said screener into saidhopper means when said carriage is in said screening position, and thecontents of said hopper means may be discharged into the finishingmachine when said carriage is in said loading position.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 additionally including an upstandingframe, and linkage means connecting said carriage and-said frame anddefining a path of movement for said carriage relative to said frame.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 additionally including means adapted tomove said carriage between said screening and said loading positions.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said linkage means comprises firstand second pairs of rigid linkage arms connecting at one end with saidupstanding frame and at the other end with said movable carriage.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said first and second pairs oflinkage arms are of equal length and connect with said carriage atpoints which are spaced apart a greater distance than their points ofconnection with said upstanding frame, whereby said pairs of linkagearms are disposed in non-parallel relationship.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means adapted to move saidcarriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders each connected at oneend to said upstanding frame and at the other end to said movablecarriage.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein:

said hydraulic cylinders connect at one end with said upstanding frameat a point below said points of connection of said pairs of linkage armswith said upstanding frame; and

said hydraulic cylinders connect at the other end with said movablecarriage substantially coaxially with said points of connection of oneof said pairs of linkage arms with said carriage.

36. in combination, a finishing machine having a movably mountedreceptacle and a drive system for moving the receptacle to impart afinishing action to abrasive media and workpieces positioned within thereceptacle, and a screening-loading apparatus for facilitating thecharging of abrasive media into the finishing machine receptacle,comprising:

a. an upstanding frame;

b. a carriage movable between a screening position and a loadingposition;

0. linkage means connecting with said carriage and said frame anddefining a path of movement for said carriage relative to said frame;

d. screening means carried by said carriage;

e. a movable hopper dolly removably received by said carriage beneathsaid screening means when in the screening position, the hopper dollybeing adapted for movement with said carriage; and,

f. means adapted to move said carriage between said screening andloading positions;

g. whereby materials of a selected size may be passed through saidscreening means into said hopper dolly when said carriage is in saidscreening position and said hopper dolly may then be moved by saidcarriage to said loading position to discharge the contents of saidhopper dolly into the finishing machine, said screening means beingmoved by said carriage as said hopper dolly is moved to said loadingposition to a screening means position clear of dolly movement.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said path of movement provides arelatively small tilting of said carriage toward said upstanding frameto retain said hopper dolly within said carriage.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said path of movement additionallyprovides a substantially abrupt tilting motion of said carriage as saidcarriage approaches said loading position.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said linkage means comprises firstand second pairs of rigid linkage arms each connecting at one end withsaid upstanding frame and at the other end with said movable carriage.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said first and second pairs oflinkage arms are of equal length and connect with said carriage atpoints which are spaced apart a greater distance than their points ofconnection with said upstanding frame, whereby said pairs of linkagearms are disposed in non-parallel relationship.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said means adapted to move saidcarriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders each connected at oneend to said upstanding frame and at the other end to said movablecarriage.

42. in combination, a finishing machine having a movably mountedreceptacle and a drive system for moving the receptacle to impart afinishing action to abrasive media and workpieces positioned within thereceptacle, and screener-loader for facilitating the charging ofabrasive media into the finishing machine receptacle, comprising:

a. a movable carriage positioned near the receptacle arid movablebetween a screening position beside the finishing machine and a loadingposition above the finishing machine;

b. a movable screener mechanism mounted on said carriage and movabletherewith;

c. said screener mechanism being positioned when in said screeningposition to receive a mixture of abrasive media and finished materialsas they are discharged from the finishing machine;

d. a movable hopper dolly removably received by said carriage beneathsaid screener mechanism for movement with said carriage; and

e. means adapted to move said carriage between said screening and saidloading positions;

f. whereby the mixture of abrasive media and finished materialsdischarged from the finishing machine may be separated by said screenermechanism with said abrasive media dropping into said hopper dolly whensaid carriage is in said screening position, and

the contents of said hopper dolly may be emptied into the finishingmachine when said carriage is moved to said loading position.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said screener mechanism is adaptedto receive screens of a variety of orifice sizes.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein:

a. said carriage includes a pair of inwardly turned flange portionspositioned on opposite sides of said hopper dolly; and

b. said hopper dolly includes a pair of outwardly turned flanged portionadapted to be engaged by said flanged portions on said carriage;

c. whereby said hopper dolly is removably received by said carriage formovement therewith.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein a first pair of stops are formedon said hopper dolly and a second pair of cooperative stops are formedon said carriage to limit the inward movement of said hopper dolly intosaid carriage.

46. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said hopper dolly additionallyincludes:

a. a substantially rectangular pan;

b. a funnel and guide portion communicating with said pan portion; and

c. a pivotally mounted door closing said funnel and guide portion toretain abrasive media within said hopper dolly until said hopper dollyis moved to said loading position.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said hopper dolly is supported ona plurality of wheels and said door is weighted such that the force ofgravity serves to maintain said door in said closed position until saidhopper dolly is moved to said loading position.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said funnel and guide portionfurther includes a shield overlying at least a portion of said funneland guide portion to direct the contents of said hopper dolly towardsaid door when said hopper dolly is moved to said loading position.

49. A finishing machine comprising:

a. a movable supported receptacle having a charging opening forreceiving workpieces and finishing media, and having a discharge openingfor discharging workpieces and finishing media from said receptacle;

b. drive means coupled to the receptacle to impart a finishing action tothe contents of the receptacle;

c. a loader mechanism positioned near said receptacle and movablebetween first and second positions;

d. a hopper connected to said loader mechanism for movement therewithbetween said first and second positions;

e. said hopper being positioned near said discharge opening when in saidfirst position to receive material discharged through said dischargeopening;

f. said hopper being adapted to discharge its contents through saidcharging opening into said receptacle when moved with said loadermechanism to said second position;

g. overlying coating formation means formed on said hopper and on saidloader mechanism which establish a releasable connection between saidhopper and said loader mechanism that releases automatically when saidhopper is moved to said first position and connects automatically whensaid loader mechanism begins moving from said first position toward saidsecond position.

50. The finishing machine of 49 wherein said loader mechanism isoperable to effect an initial tilting of said hopper as said hopper ismoved from said first position toward said second position to assurethat the connection between said hopper and said loading mechanism ismaintained when said hopper is out of said first position.

51. A finishing machine comprising:

a. a movably supported receptacle having a charging opening for chargingworkpieces and finishing media into said receptacle, and having adischarge opening for discharging workpieces and finishing media fromsaid receptacle;

b. drive means coupled to said receptacle to impart a finishing actionto the contents of the receptacle;

c. separator-reloader means movable between a separating position nearsaid discharge opening and a loading position above said receptacle,said separator-reloader including:

i. a carriage structure;

ii. linkage means mounting said carriage structure for movement betweensaid separating and loading positions and defining a path of movementfor said carriage between said separating and loading positions;

iii. a separator mechanism carried by said carriage and movabletherewith, said separator mechanism being arranged to receive media andworkpieces discharged through said discharge opening when in saidseparating position;

iv. a hopper carried by said carriage beneath said separator mechanismand being arranged to discharge its contents into said receptacle whenin said loading position.

52. The finishing machine of claim 51 wherein said hopper is removablycoupled to said carriage and comprises a movable hopper dolly.

53. The finishing machine of claim 51 wherein said path of carriagemovement is initially substantially vertical as said carriage is raisedfrom said separating position, whereafter said path becomes curved totilt said carriage toward said receptacle to effect discharge of thecontents of said hopper means into said receptacle.

54. The finishing machine of claim 53 wherein said linkage meanscomprises a non-parallel linkage system having link members of equallength supporting said carriage for movement.

55. A vibratory finishing system comprising:

a. an upstanding supporting structure;

b. a receptacle movably supported on said structure for receivingworkpieces and finishing media;

c. first vibratory drive means interposed between said receptacle andsaid structure to impart a finishing action to the contents of saidreceptacle;

d. a hopper mounted on said structure for movement between a firstposition to one side of said receptacle and a second position above saidreceptacle;

e. linkage means movably mounting said hopper on said structure anddefining a path of movement for said hopper between said first andsecond positions;

f. separator means movably supported by said linkage for movementbetween said first and second positions with said means;

g. second vibratory drive means interposed between said linkage meansand said separator means;

h. said separator means being above said hopper when in said firstposition to receive media and workpieces discharged from said receptacleand to pass the media therethrough and into said hopper means;

. said hopper means being arranged when moved to said second position todischarge its contents into said receptacle.

56. The finishing system of claim 55 wherein said hopper means isremovably carried by said linkage means.

57. The finishing system of claim 55 wherein said linkage means includesa carriage structure which is positioned in a substantially horizontalattitude when in said first position, and which is tilted from thehorizontal toward said receptacle when in said second position.

III.

58. The finishing machine of claim 57 wherein said linkage meanscomprises a non-parallel linkage system interconnecting said carriagestructure and said supporting structure, and power drive means isinterposed between said carriage structure and said supporting structureto move said carriage structure along the path of movement defined bysaid linkage system.

59. The finishing machine of claim 55 wherein said separator meanscomprises an apertured member one end of which is disposed, when in saidfirst position, near a discharge opening formed in said receptacle.

60. The finishing machine of claim 59 wherein said second vibratorydrive means is positioned above said apertured member at a positionremoved from said one end.

61. A finishing machine comprising:

a. a movably supported receptacle having a charging opening forreceiving workpieces and finishing media and discharge opening fordischarging workpieces and finishing media from said receptacle;

b. drive means coupled to said receptacle to impart a finishing actionto the contents of the receptacle;

c. a hopper positionable in a first position near said discharge openingto receive material discharged through said discharge opening;

d. a reloader mechanism connected to said hopper means to move saidhopper from said first position to a second position above saidreceptacle to discharge the contents of said hopper into saidreceptacle;

e. said reloader mechanism including:

i. linkage means defining a path of movement for said hopper betweensaid first and second position; and,

ii. drive means operably coupled to said linkage means to effectmovement of said hopper between said first and second positions;

f. a separator mechanism carried by said reloader mechanism and beingpositioned thereby above said hopper when said hopper is in said firstposition to receive workpieces and finishing media discharged from saidreceptacle and to segregate the workpieces from the finishing media;and,

g. said reloader mechanism being operable to move said separatormechanism to an elevated out-of-the way position during movement of saidhppper from said first position to said second position.

including connection means establishing a releasable connection betweensaid hopper and said carriage, said connection means being automaticallyreleased when said carriage is in said first position, and beingoperable in response to the initial movement of said carriage from saidfirst position toward said second position to connect said hopper andsaid carriage.

65. The finishing machine of claim 64 wherein said connection meansincludes overlying coacting formations on said hopper and on saidcarriage.

1. A finishing machine comprising the combination of: a. a supportingstructure; b. a receptacle movably carried by said supporting structureand adapted to receive abrasive media and parts to be finished; c. drivemeans interposed between and connected to said supporting structure andsaid receptacle to impart a finishing action to the parts within saidreceptacle; d. a carriage movable between a screening position and aloading position above the receptacle; e. a vibratory screenermechanisms carried by said carriage for movement therewith; f. a hopperdisposed beneath said vibratory screener and operably connected to saidcarriage for movement therewith along a path; g. said vibratory screenermechanism being operable when in said screening position to receivefinished parts and abrasive media discharged from said receptacle and tosegregate the finished parts and the abrasive media whereby the mediapasses through said sCreener and into said hopper; h. said hopper beingadapted to discharge its contents into said receptacle when in saidloading position; and, i. said carriage being operable during movementfrom said screening position to said loading position to move saidscreener mechanism to a position permitting movement of the hopper alongsaid path without interference by said screener mechanism to the loadingof the contents of said hopper means into said receptacle.
 2. Thefinishing machine of claim 1 additionally including power drive meansadapted to move said carriage between said screening and said loadingpositions.
 3. The finishing machine of claim 2 additionally including anupstanding frame, and linkage means connecting said carriage and saidframe and defining a path of movement for said carriage relative to saidframe.
 4. The finishing machine of claim 3 wherein said linkage meanscomprises first and second pairs of rigid linkage arms each connectingat one end with said upstanding frame and at the other end with saidmovable carriage.
 5. The finishing machine of claim 4 wherein therespective points of connection of each pair of linkage arms with saidupstanding frame and said movable carriage are substantially axiallyaligned such that the linkage arms of each pair move in unison.
 6. Thefinishing machine of claim 5 wherein said linkage arms are all ofsubstantially equal length and said points of connection of said pairsof linkage arms with said carriage are spaced apart a greater distancethan said points of connection with said upstanding frame, whereby saidpairs of linkage arms are disposed in non-parallel relationship.
 7. Thefinishing machine of claim 6 wherein: said points of connection withsaid upstanding frame are spaced above said points of connection withsaid movable carriage when said movable carriage is in said screeningposition; and, said points of connection with said upstanding frame arespaced below said points of connection with said movable carriage whensaid movable carriage is in said loading position.
 8. The finishingmachine of claim 7 wherein said path of movement from said screeningposition to said loading position includes an intermediate movementwherein said linkage arms are substantially horizontally disposed duringwhich intermediate movement said carriage is maintained in asubstantially horizontal attitude, and a subsequent movement whereinsaid linkage arms are substantially vertically disposed during whichsubsequent movement said carriage is tilted toward said receptacle. 9.The finishing machine of claim 7 wherein said means adapted to move saidcarriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders each connected at oneend to said upstanding frame and at the other end to said movablecarriage.
 10. The vibratory finishing machine of claim 7 wherein saidmeans to move said carriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylindersconnecting at one end with said upstanding frame, at axially alignedpoints spaced below said points of connection of said linkage arms withsaid upstanding frame, and connecting at the other end with said movablecarriage axially with the points of connection of one of said pairs oflinkage arms.
 11. The finishing machine of claim 1 wherein saidvibratory screener mechanism includes a screen movably mounted on saidcarriage and a vibratory drive means mounted on said carriage andconnected to said screen to vibrate said screen relative to saidcarriage.
 12. The finishing machine of claim 1 wherein said hoppercomprises a movable hopper dolly removably received by said carriage formovement therewith.
 13. The finishing machine of claim 12 wherein saidhopper dolly is mounted on rollers and includes a substantiallyrectangular pan portion having a funnel and guide portion communicatingtherewith.
 14. The finishing machine of claim 13 wherein said funnel andguide portion is adapted to direct the contents of said hopper dollyinto said receptacle when said hopper Dolly is moved to said loadingposition.
 15. The finishing machine of claim 14 wherein said funnel andguide portion has a pivotally mounted door mounted thereon toselectively close said funnel and guide portion to retain abrasive mediain said hopper dolly until said hopper dolly is moved to said loadingposition.
 16. A finishing machine comprising the combination of: a. amovably mounted receptacle adapted to receive media and parts to befinished; b. drive means connected to the receptacle for moving thereceptacle to impart a finishing action to parts within the receptacle;c. an upstanding frame; d. a movable carriage connected to the frame andadapted to be moved between a first position near said receptacle and asecond position above said receptacle; e. a hopper connected to thecarriage for movement therewith between said first and second positions;f. linkage means connecting with said carriage and said upstanding frameto define a path of movement for said carriage relative to said frameand for maintaining said carriage in a substantially horizontal attitudeuntil it approaches the vicinity of said second position whereupon thecarriage is tilted toward said receptacle to discharge the contents ofsaid hopper into said receptacle.
 17. The finishing machine of claim 16wherein said linkage means comprises first and second pairs of rigidlinkage arms each connecting at one end with said upstanding frame andat the other end with said movable carriage.
 18. The finishing machineof claim 17 wherein said linkage arms are of substantially equal lengthand connect with said carriage at points which are spaced apart agreater distance than their points of connection with said upstandingframe, whereby said pairs of linkage arms are disposed in non-parallelrelationship.
 19. The finishing machine of claim 18 wherein: said pointsof connection with said upstanding frame are spaced above said points ofconnection with said movable carriage when said movable carriage is insaid first position; and said points of connection with said upstandingframe are disposed below said points of connection with said movablecarriage when said carriage is in said second position.
 20. Thefinishing machine of claim 19 wherein said path of movement from saidfirst position to said second position includes an intermediate movementwherein said linkage arms are substantially horizontally disposed duringwhich intermediate movement said carriage is maintained in asubstantially horizontal attitude, and a subsequent movement whereinsaid linkage arms are substantially vertically disposed during whichsubsequent movement said carriage is tilted toward said receptacle. 21.The finishing machine of claim 20 additionally including a vibratoryscreener mechanism mounted on said carriage for movement therewith, saidvibratory screener being operable to segregate finished parts andabrasive media when in said first position.
 22. The finishing machine ofclaim 21 wherein said hopper comprises a movable hopper dolly removablyreceived by said carriage beneath said screener mechanism for movementwith said carriage, said movable hopper dolly being adapted to receiveabrasive media passed through said screener mechanism when in said firstposition and being adapted to discharge the contents of said hopperdolly into said receptacle when in said second position.
 23. Thevibratory finishing machine of claim 22 wherein said path of movementdefined by said linkage arms imparts a relatively small tilt to saidcarriage to facilitate retention of said movable hopper dolly withinsaid carriage for movement between said first and second positions. 24.A finishing machine comprising the combination of: a. a movably mountedreceptacle adapted to receive abrasive media and parts to be finished;b. drive means connected to the receptacle for moving the receptacle toimpart a finishing action to parts within the receptacle; c. a movablehopPer dolly movable between a receiving position and a dischargingposition; d. dolly support means positioned near said receptacle forsupporting said dolly during movement between said receiving anddischarging positions; e. said movable hopper dolly being engaged by andremovably received within said support means when said dolly is in saidreceiving position; f. said support means being operable during itsinitial movement from said receiving position to said loading positionto establish a connection with said dolly to effect movement of saiddolly between said receiving and loading positions; and, g. said dollybeing adapted to discharge its contents into said receptacle when insaid discharging position.
 25. The finishing machine of claim 24 whereinsaid receptacle has a discharge means constructed to discharge abrasivemedia from said receptacle into said dolly when said dolly is in saidreceiving position.
 26. The finishing machine of claim 24 wherein: a.said dolly includes a plurality of rollers supporting said dolly formovement; and b. cooperative engagement means are provided on said dollyand said support means to permit said hopper dolly to be removablyreceived by said support means for movement therewith.
 27. The finishingmachine of claim 24 wherein said dolly additionally includes: a. asubstantially rectangular pan; b. a funnel and guide portioncommunicating with said pan; and c. a pivotally mounted door closingsaid funnel and guide portion to retain abrasive media within said panuntil said dolly is moved to said discharging position whereupon saiddoor opens to discharge the media into said receptacle.
 28. Thevibratory finishing machine of claim 27 wherein said funnel-shaped endportion includes a shield overlying at least a portion of said funneland guide portion to direct the contents of said dolly toward said doorwhen said dolly is moved to said discharging position.
 29. Incombination, a finishing machine having a movably mounted receptacle anda drive system for moving the receptacle to impart a finishing action toabrasive media and workpieces positioned within the receptacle, andscreening-loading apparatus for facilitating the charging of abrasivemedia into the finishing machine receptacle, comprising: a. a movablecarriage for positioning selectively and one at a time near thefinishing machine receptacle in a screening position and a loadingposition; b. a screener mechanism carried by said carriage and movabletherewith; and c. a movable hopper means removably received by saidcarriage for movement with said carriage; d. said hopper means beingpositioned beneath said screener mechanism when in said screeningposition; e. said hopper means being tilted toward said receptacle whenin said loading position; f. whereby abrasive media may be passedthrough said screener into said hopper means when said carriage is insaid screening position, and the contents of said hopper means may bedischarged into the finishing machine when said carriage is in saidloading position.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29 additionally includingan upstanding frame, and linkage means connecting said carriage and saidframe and defining a path of movement for said carriage relative to saidframe.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 additionally including meansadapted to move said carriage between said screening and said loadingpositions.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said linkage meanscomprises first and second pairs of rigid linkage arms connecting at oneend with said upstanding frame and at the other end with said movablecarriage.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said first and secondpairs of linkage arms are of equal length and connect with said carriageat points which are spaced apart a greater distance than their points ofconnection with said upstanding frame, whereby said pairs of linkagearms are disposed in non-parallel relationship.
 34. The apparatus ofclaim 33 wherein said means adapted to move said carriage comprises apair of hydraulic cylinders each connected at one end to said upstandingframe and at the other end to said movable carriage.
 35. The apparatusof claim 34 wherein: said hydraulic cylinders connect at one end withsaid upstanding frame at a point below said points of connection of saidpairs of linkage arms with said upstanding frame; and said hydrauliccylinders connect at the other end with said movable carriagesubstantially coaxially with said points of connection of one of saidpairs of linkage arms with said carriage.
 36. In combination, afinishing machine having a movably mounted receptacle and a drive systemfor moving the receptacle to impart a finishing action to abrasive mediaand workpieces positioned within the receptacle, and a screening-loadingapparatus for facilitating the charging of abrasive media into thefinishing machine receptacle, comprising: a. an upstanding frame; b. acarriage movable between a screening position and a loading position; c.linkage means connecting with said carriage and said frame and defininga path of movement for said carriage relative to said frame; d.screening means carried by said carriage; e. a movable hopper dollyremovably received by said carriage beneath said screening means when inthe screening position, the hopper dolly being adapted for movement withsaid carriage; and, f. means adapted to move said carriage between saidscreening and loading positions; g. whereby materials of a selected sizemay be passed through said screening means into said hopper dolly whensaid carriage is in said screening position and said hopper dolly maythen be moved by said carriage to said loading position to discharge thecontents of said hopper dolly into the finishing machine, said screeningmeans being moved by said carriage as said hopper dolly is moved to saidloading position to a screening means position clear of dolly movement.37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said path of movement provides arelatively small tilting of said carriage toward said upstanding frameto retain said hopper dolly within said carriage.
 38. The apparatus ofclaim 37 wherein said path of movement additionally provides asubstantially abrupt tilting motion of said carriage as said carriageapproaches said loading position.
 39. The apparatus of claim 38 whereinsaid linkage means comprises first and second pairs of rigid linkagearms each connecting at one end with said upstanding frame and at theother end with said movable carriage.
 40. The apparatus of claim 39wherein said first and second pairs of linkage arms are of equal lengthand connect with said carriage at points which are spaced apart agreater distance than their points of connection with said upstandingframe, whereby said pairs of linkage arms are disposed in non-parallelrelationship.
 41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said means adaptedto move said carriage comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders eachconnected at one end to said upstanding frame and at the other end tosaid movable carriage.
 42. In combination, a finishing machine having amovably mounted receptacle and a drive system for moving the receptacleto impart a finishing action to abrasive media and workpieces positionedwithin the receptacle, and screener-loader for facilitating the chargingof abrasive media into the finishing machine receptacle, comprising: a.a movable carriage positioned near the receptacle and movable between ascreening position beside the finishing machine and a loading positionabove the finishing machine; b. a movable screener mechanism mounted onsaid carriage and movable therewith; c. said screener mechanism beingpositioned when in said screening position to receive a mixture ofabrasive media and finished materials as they are discharged from thefinishing machine; d. a movable hopper dolly removably received by saidcarriAge beneath said screener mechanism for movement with saidcarriage; and e. means adapted to move said carriage between saidscreening and said loading positions; f. whereby the mixture of abrasivemedia and finished materials discharged from the finishing machine maybe separated by said screener mechanism with said abrasive mediadropping into said hopper dolly when said carriage is in said screeningposition, and the contents of said hopper dolly may be emptied into thefinishing machine when said carriage is moved to said loading position.43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said screener mechanism is adaptedto receive screens of a variety of orifice sizes.
 44. The apparatus ofclaim 42 wherein: a. said carriage includes a pair of inwardly turnedflange portions positioned on opposite sides of said hopper dolly; andb. said hopper dolly includes a pair of outwardly turned flanged portionadapted to be engaged by said flanged portions on said carriage; c.whereby said hopper dolly is removably received by said carriage formovement therewith.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein a first pairof stops are formed on said hopper dolly and a second pair ofcooperative stops are formed on said carriage to limit the inwardmovement of said hopper dolly into said carriage.
 46. The apparatus ofclaim 42 wherein said hopper dolly additionally includes: a. asubstantially rectangular pan; b. a funnel and guide portioncommunicating with said pan portion; and c. a pivotally mounted doorclosing said funnel and guide portion to retain abrasive media withinsaid hopper dolly until said hopper dolly is moved to said loadingposition.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said hopper dolly issupported on a plurality of wheels and said door is weighted such thatthe force of gravity serves to maintain said door in said closedposition until said hopper dolly is moved to said loading position. 48.The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said funnel and guide portion furtherincludes a shield overlying at least a portion of said funnel and guideportion to direct the contents of said hopper dolly toward said doorwhen said hopper dolly is moved to said loading position.
 49. Afinishing machine comprising: a. a movable supported receptacle having acharging opening for receiving workpieces and finishing media, andhaving a discharge opening for discharging workpieces and finishingmedia from said receptacle; b. drive means coupled to the receptacle toimpart a finishing action to the contents of the receptacle; c. a loadermechanism positioned near said receptacle and movable between first andsecond positions; d. a hopper connected to said loader mechanism formovement therewith between said first and second positions; e. saidhopper being positioned near said discharge opening when in said firstposition to receive material discharged through said discharge opening;f. said hopper being adapted to discharge its contents through saidcharging opening into said receptacle when moved with said loadermechanism to said second position; g. overlying coating formation meansformed on said hopper and on said loader mechanism which establish areleasable connection between said hopper and said loader mechanism thatreleases automatically when said hopper is moved to said first positionand connects automatically when said loader mechanism begins moving fromsaid first position toward said second position.
 50. The finishingmachine of 49 wherein said loader mechanism is operable to effect aninitial tilting of said hopper as said hopper is moved from said firstposition toward said second position to assure that the connectionbetween said hopper and said loading mechanism is maintained when saidhopper is out of said first position.
 51. A finishing machinecomprising: a. a movably supported receptacle having a charging openingfor charging workpieces and finishing media into saiD receptacle, andhaving a discharge opening for discharging workpieces and finishingmedia from said receptacle; b. drive means coupled to said receptacle toimpart a finishing action to the contents of the receptacle; c.separator-reloader means movable between a separating position near saiddischarge opening and a loading position above said receptacle, saidseparator-reloader including: i. a carriage structure; ii. linkage meansmounting said carriage structure for movement between said separatingand loading positions and defining a path of movement for said carriagebetween said separating and loading positions; iii. a separatormechanism carried by said carriage and movable therewith, said separatormechanism being arranged to receive media and workpieces dischargedthrough said discharge opening when in said separating position; iv. ahopper carried by said carriage beneath said separator mechanism andbeing arranged to discharge its contents into said receptacle when insaid loading position.
 52. The finishing machine of claim 51 whereinsaid hopper is removably coupled to said carriage and comprises amovable hopper dolly.
 53. The finishing machine of claim 51 wherein saidpath of carriage movement is initially substantially vertical as saidcarriage is raised from said separating position, whereafter said pathbecomes curved to tilt said carriage toward said receptacle to effectdischarge of the contents of said hopper means into said receptacle. 54.The finishing machine of claim 53 wherein said linkage means comprises anon-parallel linkage system having link members of equal lengthsupporting said carriage for movement.
 55. A vibratory finishing systemcomprising: a. an upstanding supporting structure; b. a receptaclemovably supported on said structure for receiving workpieces andfinishing media; c. first vibratory drive means interposed between saidreceptacle and said structure to impart a finishing action to thecontents of said receptacle; d. a hopper mounted on said structure formovement between a first position to one side of said receptacle and asecond position above said receptacle; e. linkage means movably mountingsaid hopper on said structure and defining a path of movement for saidhopper between said first and second positions; f. separator meansmovably supported by said linkage for movement between said first andsecond positions with said means; g. second vibratory drive meansinterposed between said linkage means and said separator means; h. saidseparator means being above said hopper when in said first position toreceive media and workpieces discharged from said receptacle and to passthe media therethrough and into said hopper means; i. said hopper meansbeing arranged when moved to said second position to discharge itscontents into said receptacle.
 56. The finishing system of claim 55wherein said hopper means is removably carried by said linkage means.57. The finishing system of claim 55 wherein said linkage means includesa carriage structure which is positioned in a substantially horizontalattitude when in said first position, and which is tilted from thehorizontal toward said receptacle when in said second position.
 58. Thefinishing machine of claim 57 wherein said linkage means comprises anon-parallel linkage system interconnecting said carriage structure andsaid supporting structure, and power drive means is interposed betweensaid carriage structure and said supporting structure to move saidcarriage structure along the path of movement defined by said linkagesystem.
 59. The finishing machine of claim 55 wherein said separatormeans comprises an apertured member one end of which is disposed, whenin said first position, near a discharge opening formed in saidreceptacle.
 60. The finishing machine of claim 59 wherein said secondvibratory drive means is positioned above said apertured member at aposition removed from saId one end.
 61. A finishing machine comprising:a. a movably supported receptacle having a charging opening forreceiving workpieces and finishing media and discharge opening fordischarging workpieces and finishing media from said receptacle; b.drive means coupled to said receptacle to impart a finishing action tothe contents of the receptacle; c. a hopper positionable in a firstposition near said discharge opening to receive material dischargedthrough said discharge opening; d. a reloader mechanism connected tosaid hopper means to move said hopper from said first position to asecond position above said receptacle to discharge the contents of saidhopper into said receptacle; e. said reloader mechanism including: i.linkage means defining a path of movement for said hopper between saidfirst and second position; and, ii. drive means operably coupled to saidlinkage means to effect movement of said hopper between said first andsecond positions; f. a separator mechanism carried by said reloadermechanism and being positioned thereby above said hopper when saidhopper is in said first position to receive workpieces and finishingmedia discharged from said receptacle and to segregate the workpiecesfrom the finishing media; and, g. said reloader mechanism being operableto move said separator mechanism to an elevated out-of-the way positionduring movement of said hppper from said first position to said secondposition.
 62. The finishing machine of claim 1 additionally includingconnection means establishing a releasable connection between saidhopper and said carriage, said connection means being automaticallyreleased when said carriage is in said screening position, and beingoperable in response to the initial movement of said carriage from saidscreening position toward said loading position to connect said hopperand said carriage.
 63. The finishing machine of claim 62 wherein saidconnection means includes overlying coacting formations on said hopperand on said carriage.
 64. The finishing machine of claim 16 additionallyincluding connection means establishing a releasable connection betweensaid hopper and said carriage, said connection means being automaticallyreleased when said carriage is in said first position, and beingoperable in response to the initial movement of said carriage from saidfirst position toward said second position to connect said hopper andsaid carriage.
 65. The finishing machine of claim 64 wherein saidconnection means includes overlying coacting formations on said hopperand on said carriage.